Ashe County is located in the northwestern corner of North Carolina. It is bordered by Alleghany County, Virginia to the north, Wilkes County to the east, Watauga and Caldwell Counties to the south and Johnson County, Tennessee to the west. According to gradphysics, the county seat is Jefferson located on the banks of the New River. It is a small town with a population of just over 1,500 people. The county has an area of about 435 square miles and is home to some of North Carolina’s highest mountains that are part of the Appalachian chain. The county’s highest point is Mount Jefferson at 6,072 feet above sea level. The terrain varies from rolling hills in some areas to steep mountain slopes in others. Ashe County has many outdoor recreational activities including camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, biking and horseback riding. There are also several state parks including Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and New River State Park where visitors can enjoy swimming, boating and canoeing. Ashe County also has several historical sites such as Fort Defiance which was built during the Revolutionary War and Ashe Homestead which was built in 1798 by a local family who were among the first settlers in this area.
School districts in Ashe County, North Carolina
Ashe County is served by three school districts: Ashe County Schools, Blue Ridge Early College, and Ashe Charter Academy. Ashe County Schools is the largest district in the county and serves over 5,000 students in 10 schools. The district offers a diverse curriculum that includes traditional courses as well as advanced technology-based classes. The district also provides a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, clubs, and performing arts groups. Blue Ridge Early College is an alternative school that offers both high school and college classes to its students. This school allows students to get a jump start on their college career while still in high school. Finally, Ashe Charter Academy is a charter school that focuses on teaching an individualized curriculum tailored to each student’s needs and interests. All three districts offer free or reduced-price meals for eligible students and have programs available to help those with learning disabilities or other special needs. In addition, each district has its own transportation system so that all students can get to and from school safely.
Major schools in Ashe County, North Carolina
Ashe County is served by three main school districts: Ashe County Schools, Blue Ridge Early College, and Ashe Charter Academy. Ashe County Schools is the largest district in the county and serves over 5,000 students in 10 schools. The district offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes traditional courses as well as advanced technology-based classes. The district also provides a variety of extracurricular activities such as sports teams, clubs, and performing arts groups.
The major schools in Ashe County are Westwood Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School, Westwood High School, Mountain View Middle School, Ashe County Middle School, and Ashe County High School. Westwood Elementary is a K-5 school with a strong focus on student achievement while Mountain View Elementary is a K-6 school that emphasizes the importance of family involvement in their students’ education. Westwood High School offers college preparatory courses as well as more specialized programs such as JROTC and culinary arts while Mountain View Middle provides its students with opportunities to explore different career paths through its various elective courses. Ashe County Middle and High Schools offer both traditional academic courses and more hands-on learning experiences such as robotics and engineering classes.
All three districts have programs available to help those with learning disabilities or other special needs while also providing free or reduced-price meals for eligible students. In addition to these major schools, there are several private schools located within the county including Carolina Bible Academy and Holy Trinity Catholic School which offer faith based education for their students. Finally, there are several charter schools within the county including New River Academy which focuses on providing an education based on project-based learning principles for its students.
Notable people of Ashe County, North Carolina
According to cheeroutdoor, Ashe County is home to a variety of notable people. One of the most famous individuals from Ashe County is the late country music legend, Johnny Cash. Cash was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, but his family moved to Ashe County when he was three years old. He would later move back to Kingsport and become one of the most influential singers in country music history. His songs about life in rural America remain timeless classics and he has been inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Another notable person from Ashe County is former professional basketball player Phil Ford. Ford was born in West Jefferson, North Carolina and attended Westwood High School in Ashe County before going on to play college basketball at UNC-Chapel Hill. He was a two-time All American and won an NCAA National Championship with UNC in 1977 before being drafted by the Kansas City Kings with the second overall pick in 1978 NBA Draft. Ford played nine seasons in the NBA before retiring following the 1986-87 season.
Ashe County is also home to author Robert Morgan who has written several books about Appalachian culture including Gap Creek, Boone: A Biography, and Lions of the West: Heroes & Villains of The Westward Expansion. Morgan grew up on a farm near Bakersville, North Carolina and attended Mars Hill University where he received his Bachelor’s degree before earning his Master’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. His books have been widely praised for their accurate portrayal of Appalachian culture and have earned him numerous awards including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and an Academy Award for Literature from The American Academy of Arts & Letters.
Other notable people from Ashe County include former NFL linebacker Nate Webster who played for several teams during his 11 year career; musician Darrell Scott who has recorded albums with artists such as Emmylou Harris; actor David Arquette who starred in films such as Scream; actor/director/producer Tyler Perry; professional golfer Davis Love III; singer/songwriter Rhiannon Giddens; as well as many others who have made their mark on society through their various talents.